Thai Rugby Union Signs Paul Delport as Sevens Women’s Rugby Coach

Thai Rugby Union (TRU) confirmed the signing of former South African Women’s Sevens coach Paul Delport on a 1-year contract to further develop rugby as the Thai sevens women’s team chases medals in the 2023 Asian Rugby Sevens Series, 19th Asian Games, and qualification for Olympic Games 2024 in Paris.

The TRU is aiming for the women’s team to maintain a top-three finish in the Asian Rugby Seven Series in 2023 and would like to win a medal at the Asian Games, and even qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games.

The Thailand women’s 7s came in third last year in the ARSS 2022 beating out regular bronze medalists Hong Kong China and Kazakhstan but were still just off the pace of both Japan and China who lead the Asian women’s sevens rugby pack.

Lt. Col. Kulthon Prachuabmoh, President of the TRU, presided over the signing ceremony of South African Paul Delport as head coach of the Thai national rugby team on June 27, 2023, which was also attended by the South African Ambassador, several dignitaries from Thailand and the TRU as well as sponsors.

The goals and targets set for Delport are not easy. The third-place finish in last year’s ARSS 2022 was the best the team had ever achieved and was followed by the departure of their coach shortly thereafter.

Delport was brought in on a temporary basis in 2023 to help guide the women’s sevens team at the Challenger Sevens Series in South Africa but their quest to earn qualification to the World Sevens Series was unsuccessful. Delport’s previous team, South Africa, were crowned the champions and will play in next season’s HSBC World Sevens Series.

Photo Credit: TRU  – Thai Rugby Union at the signing of Paul Delport at a ceremony this week.

The goal of winning a medal at the Asian Games and qualifying for the 2024 Olympics are equally tough tasks.

The Hangzhou Asian Games take place from 24^th September to 26^th September 2023, while the Asia Rugby Sevens Series 2023 is only a two-leg event. Delport will take his side to South Korea from August 26-27  for the first leg before completing the ARSS 2023 in Bangkok from 28-29 October after the Asian Games (based on the Asia Rugby calendar).

The rumours suggest Fukuoka in Japan will host the Asian Rugby Sevens qualifiers for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games from November 18-19 2023 – which means it will be an intense period of rugby for the sevens teams.

Rugby Asia 247 would like to offer an apology to both Paul Delport and TRU for an Instagram post which included incorrect information regarding the assumed salary details – the financial figures are in fact the investment the TRU has made in the women’s rugby game. We were made aware of the mistake and reacted accordingly and once again apologise for any offence caused.

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